Anderson County magistrate, deputy charged with assault

ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina state police say an Anderson County magistrate and sheriff's detective have been charged with assault following a bar fight.

An arrest warrant says 45-year-old Magistrate Mike Smith of Pelzer grabbed a woman early Sunday morning at a sports bar in Williamston.

Smith told WYFF-TV in Greenville that he did not see the fight and he never touched anyone involved. He had earlier been charged with public disorderly conduct.

Also arrested Thursday was 45-year-old Detective Gene Brock of Fair Play. He was charged with aggravated assault. An arrest warrant says Brock pushed a man through a porch railing at the bar.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Susann Griffin says Brock was off-duty early Sunday and was suspended without pay the following day. Brock was fired Friday. There was no answer at a telephone listing for Brock. ------ Information from: WYFF-TV, http://www.wyff4.com/index.html

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